Drawing mechanism with a variable regulation device for regulating the probabilities of winning

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a drawing mechanism with a variable regulation device for regulating the probabilities of winning. The mechanism, intended to be associated to two or more entertainment machines, all of them forming a type of game table or counter, is formed from a drum, in which a predetermined number of balls are arranged, which drum can be transparent or like a cage, for allowing in any case the player or players in question to see the balls contained therein, provided with fixing means for fixing it to the mentioned game table, with a horizontal rotating shaft arranged inside the drum and in which a drive mechanism is arranged which allows rotating the drum in either direction. Said drum equally has a protrusion in the shape of a protruding turret located on a plane of symmetry perpendicular to the rotating shaft, and with suitable dimensions for allowing the passage and housing therein of at least one of the balls. The balls never abandon the assembly formed by the drum and the turret.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Spanish Utility Model ApplicationNo. U200701382.7, filed Jun. 26, 2007 and entitled “Drawing Mechanismwith a Variable Regulation Device for Regulating the Probabilities ofWinning” in the name of Jesús Franco Muñoz, which is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a drawing mechanism, specifically amechanical-electronic device intended to be associated to one or moregaming machines with similar or different characteristics for thepurpose of forming an additional game for the same.

The object of the invention is to provide a drawing mechanism whichallows varying, by means of regulation provided for such purpose, theprobability of winning, all according to reducing or increasing thevalue of the prizes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Drawing mechanisms for gaming machines, such as in the case of the knowncasino roulettes, in which the number of probabilities of winning isfixed and cannot be varied are known. This brings with it a drawbackwhich fundamentally focuses on the fact that when it is necessary toincrease the value of the prize corresponding to the winning, in orderto balance said increase without modifying the value of the bet, it isnecessary that the probabilities of winning by the player are reduced.

However in order to achieve this objective it is necessary to physicallymodify the drawing mechanism, the total replacement of said mechanismfor another mechanism specifically designed according to theprobabilities of winning required in the plays being necessary in somecases, with the consequent economic cost which that involves.

Although there are entertainment machines which allow automaticallymodifying the probabilities of winning in a certain game, it relates topurely electronic games, i.e., said modifications are carried out as aresult of programming software, selecting between different options. Theproblem which these types of machines have is that the user, in thiscase the player, has to trust the “randomness” of the game process,which is controlled as has been previously said by a certain programmingsoftware, said player not being able to check for himself, as occurs inthe “physical” game mechanisms, that said randomness is completely real.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The drawing mechanism with a variable regulation device for regulatingthe probabilities of winning proposed by the invention fully andsatisfactorily solves the drawbacks previously set forth in thedifferent mentioned aspects.

Said mechanism is formed by a drum-shaped receptacle, ball container andmixer, provided with a device with the capacity of randomly reading andidentifying each and every one of the balls contained therein. It is forthat reason that the mechanism and device are able to:

-   -   Randomly choose and set aside one ball from among a group of        balls enclosed in a drum.    -   Identify and read the chosen ball.    -   Return the ball set aside again to the grouped set of all balls.    -   Send orders for rotating in both directions to the drum for        mixing the balls contained therein, or set aside one of the        balls for its display and reading, as the case may be.

This and other objectives of the invention are achieved by means of amechanism according to claim 1. The particular embodiments of themechanism object of the invention are defined in dependent claims the 2to 11.

More specifically, the proposed mechanism, intended to be associated totwo or more entertainment machines, all of them forming a type gametable or counter, is formed from a drum, in which a predetermined numberof balls are arranged, which drum could be transparent or like a cage,for allowing in any case the player or players in question to see theballs contained therein, provided with fixing means for fixing it to thementioned game table with a horizontal rotating shaft arranged insidethe drum and in which a motorized drive mechanism is arranged whichallows rotating the drum in either direction.

Said drum equally has a protrusion in the shape of a protruding turretlocated on a plane of symmetry perpendicular to the rotating shaft, andwith suitable dimensions for allowing the passage and housing therein ofat least one of the balls.

Said turret includes in its base a mechanism for opening and closing theaccess of the balls to the same turret for the purpose of allowing theentrance or exit of the balls; said mechanism consists of a pivotingblade, balanced such that the rotation of the drum in one directionmakes the blade pivot, closing through one of its ends the entrance ofballs to the turret, whereas the rotation in the opposite direction ofthe drum equally causes a pivoting of the blade in the oppositedirection, such that the end thereof preventing the entrance of theballs clears the passage of the ball to the inside of the turret.

Nevertheless the mentioned turret could be oversized in length foroptionally allowing the entrance of two balls.

Said balls will have their outer surface printed with the correspondingnumber or illustration, being equally provided with an inner circuit foridentification by means of an electronic reader associated to thecontrol circuit of the support of the entire drawing mechanism assembly.

Thus, and by means of the mentioned electronic reader, the mechanism ofthe invention, as has been previously mentioned, can be associated to anassembly of two or more betting terminals provided with means formanaging charges and payments, as well as managing the development anddisplay of the results of the plays in the form of drawings.

According to the essential features of the invention, when theprobabilities of winning the bets are to be varied, it will only benecessary, as the case may be, to reduce or increase the number of ballshoused within the drum, and introduce the data relating to the newnumber of balls into the electronic part of the device, a process whichis carried out is an extremely simple manner, by means of accessing theinside of the drum for the purpose of ordering the new number of balls,an operation which is carried out with the opening of the drum,operating on the corresponding mechanism provided in the assembly forsuch purpose; having as complement to the previous operation, the accessto the test program and the actuation of the controls which allowsetting the type of the desired game. Once this operation is carriedout, the device is completely automatically in charge of compensatingthe new order of probabilities of winning.

The control circuit or CPU of the device will thus be electricallyassociated: to the mechanism for rotating the drum, controlling both itsrotation/stopping and its position; to the means for identifying theballs; as well as to the rest of the conventional electronic elementstaking part in the drawings; transmitting said data to the assembly ofmachines to which the drawing mechanism is associated, machines in whicheach of them will have its corresponding means for executing its owngames and which eventually and particularly will be able, independentlyor simultaneously at the will of the player, to access the informationand use the data of the result of the drawings carried out by means ofthe mechanism to make bets, whereby the player of each machine can betwhat he or she thinks suitable, regardless of the rest of the players.

An extremely versatile mechanism is thus achieved which can be implantedin association with different types of machines, and which allowschanging the probabilities of winning in the drawing carried out by thesame in an extremely quick and simple manner without needing to modifythe structure of the assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description being made and for the purpose of aidingto better understand the features of the invention according to apreferred practical embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached asan integral part of said description, in which the following has beenshown with an illustrative and non-limiting character:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a drawing mechanism with avariable regulation device for regulating the probabilities of winningcarried out according to the object of the invention and associated to agame table for several players.

FIG. 2 shows an elevational side view of a detail of the drum takingpart in the device of previous figure.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show respective elevational side views of details of themechanism in charge of allowing/preventing the movement of a ball to theinside of the turret in different positions for the same.

FIG. 5 finally shows a schematic depiction of the different electroniccomponents taking part in the invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

List of reference numbers used in the figures.—

-   1.—multi-position game table-   2.—drum-shaped ball mixer and container mechanism-   3.—numbered ball with visual and electronic identification-   4.—support for the drawing mechanism anchored to the game table-   5.—support for the drawing mechanism anchored to the game table-   6.—drum shaft with a built-in motor-   7.—support for the pivoting lever shaft for access of balls to the    turret-   8.—mechanism for opening and closing the passage of the ball to the    inside of the turret-   9.—space/path for conveying a ball to the inside of the turret-   10.—drum projection or turret-   11.—distal end of the turret-   12.—motor for rotating the drum-   13.—electronic control for reading the balls-   14.—CPU unit of the device-   15.—pivoting blade for access of balls to the turret-   16.—pivoting blade shaft-   17.—arm for supporting the pivoting blade-   18.—arm for closing the pivoting blade-   19, 19′ 19″ 19′″.—gaming machines connected to the mechanism and    device-   20.—controls in gaming machines for accessing the data of the    drawing mechanism-   21.—screens of images of the development of the game in each    connected machine-   22.—common intercommunication line between the machines and CPU of    the mechanism-   23.—RGB signal generated in the CPU for generating images on the    machine screens-   24.—controlled lighting elements according to the development of the    plays-   25.—information panel-   26.—common alphanumeric panel for the drawing results-   27.—audio signal for each of the interconnected machines-   28.—control means for activating the device with the existence of    credits in the machines-   29.—betting permission signal for those taking part in the drawing-   30.—CPU information to the machines of the number of balls taking    part in each drawing-   31.—push-button for fixing regulations-   32.—control for rotating and stopping motor for rotating the drum-   33.—push-button for accessing the regulation test-   34.—central audio signal for the entire common system

In view of the indicated figures, and especially FIGS. 1 and 2, it canbe observed how the drawing mechanism proposed by the invention, whichin the chosen practical embodiment in FIG. 1 is integrated into a gametable (1) but could equally be associated to different types ofentertainment machines and for a different number of machines andplayers without affecting the essence of the invention, is formed from aspherical drum (2) which in the example of the figures is carried out asa type of cage which allows seeing the balls (3) housed therein, butwhich could equally be carried out as a sphere of plastic material orany other transparent material.

Said drum (2) is fixed to the game table (1) from a pair of verticalarms (4), or any type of raised platform which allows supporting ahorizontal rotating shaft (6) at the desired height, carried out as acylinder inside which an electric motor (12) and the correspondingmechanism associated thereto are arranged in order to allow carrying outthe rotation of said drum (2) in either direction, as well as anelectro-optical sensor (32) as a controller and detector of the positionof the drum (2) and which, acting on a spur located in the shaft/motor,sends the necessary data to the CPU so that the orders corresponding tothe motor (12) on starting, breaking and rotation direction can be sent.

Said drum (2) has a protrusion in the shape of a turret (10) provided onthe plane of symmetry perpendicular to the rotating shaft (6) thereof,said turret (10) forms an integral part with the outer structure of thedrum (2) and is sized such that it allows housing a ball at its distalend (11) when the circumstance of the game requires it.

The balls (3) will have an identification printed on their outer surfaceso the players can see said information, whereas they will internallyhave an identification circuit for being identified by means of anexternal electronic reader (13) associated to a control circuit or CPU(14) through which it is connected with the different machines takingpart in the game table, which circuit will be further described below.

The mentioned turret (10) is provided with a mechanism (8) which allowscontrolling the entrance of the balls (3) to its inside as well as theexit thereof for joining the rest of the balls in the drum (2) dependingon the rotation direction thereof, such that rotating the drum in onedirection provided that the turret does not house a ball (3) inside,allows the passage of a ball of those contained in the drum, after whichit maintains said ball inside preventing its exit, whereas if therotation of the drum (2) occurs in the opposite direction, the turretallows the exit of the ball contained therein, preventing the entranceof a new ball.

Therefore the mechanism (8) for controlling the entrance and exit of theballs to and from the turret (10) has a blade (15) pivoting on a shaft(16), with suitable dimensions and shape so that it is balanced suchthat by turning the turret (10) in one rotation direction of the drum(2), an end (17) thereof pivots due to gravity, closing at its other end(18) the access to any ball (3), whereas when a rotation of the drum inthe opposite direction occurs, the pivoting of the blade (15) equallyoccurs in the opposite direction, allowing the exit of the ball (3) fromthe turret (10), and preventing the entrance thereto of a new ballthrough its lower end (17), as can be observed in FIGS. 3 and 4.Likewise, the mechanism (8) has side supports (7) for the shaft (16) ofthe pivoting blade (15).

The turret (10) can optionally have a longer length for housing a secondball therein, equally preventing the entrance of more balls for thepurpose of providing a second prize or larger prize corresponding to tworesults in a single drawing.

Thus, and as has been previously mentioned, by varying the number ofballs (3) housed in the drum (2) and entering in the CPU of the variableregulation device, through its test program, the data corresponding tothe new number of balls, the probabilities of winning in the drawingscan be varied in a quick and simple manner without having to modify thestructural features of the device.

The CPU (14) will be equally in charge of controlling the power supplyof decorative lighting elements (24) provided in an information panel(25) located next to the drum (2), and on which an alphanumeric panel(26) is contained with the data which is considered of interest in theplays; it will likewise be in charge of generating audio signals (27)and (34) for information of the game in the terminals and in the centralunit, giving betting permission (29) to the terminals which wish to takepart in the drawing and supplying them before each play with informationof the number of balls (30) taking part in each drawing, as well asvalidating by means of the control (28) the activation of the device bymeans of the existence of credits in the machines.

Said CPU (14) will similarly be associated to a control circuit (32) forcontrolling the position of the turret (10), having a push-buttoncontrol (33) for accessing the regulation/validation test forregulating/validating the balls in the game, as well as an auxiliarypush-button control (31) for fixing the adjustable variations.

1. A drawing mechanism with a variable regulation device for regulatingthe probabilities of winning, which is intended to be interconnectedwith a group of machines provided with means for executing their owngames; characterized in that it comprises a drum (2), in which apredetermined number of balls are arranged, provided with rotation means(12) electrically controlled through a control circuit or CPU (14) withinternal programming software; the drum (2) provided with a protrusionin the shape of a protruding turret (10) located on the plane ofsymmetry perpendicular to the rotating shaft (6) thereof, and havingsuitable dimensions for allowing the passage and housing therein of atleast one ball, said turret (10) provided with a mechanism forallowing/preventing the access/exit of one of the balls (3) in play,visually identifiable balls (3) the total number of which can be variedin order to modify the probabilities of winning and provided with aninternal circuit for their identification by means of an electronicreader (13) associated to the CPU (14) through which information anddifferent signals are supplied to the betting terminals (19, 19′, 19′ .. . ) in relation to the drawing which occurs in said mechanism, ithaving been provided that the mechanism incorporates access means (33)for accessing the software of the CPU (14) in order to fix theparameters corresponding to the total number of balls contained insidethe drum.
 2. The drawing mechanism with a variable regulation device forregulating the probabilities of winning according to claim 1,characterized in that the mechanism (8) which allows controlling theentrance and exit of the balls (3) in the turret (10) as well as theexit thereof towards the drum (2) according to the rotation directionthereof, is carried out as a blade (15) located next to an opening (9)for the passage of the balls (3), in which it is provided pivoting on ashaft (16), with suitable dimensions and shape so that it is balancedsuch that by turning the turret (10) in one rotation direction of thedrum (2), an end (17) thereof pivots due to gravity, closing at itsother end (18) the access to any ball (3), whereas when a rotation ofthe drum in the opposite direction occurs, the pivoting of the blade(15) equally occurs in the opposite direction, allowing the exit of theball (3) from the turret (10), and preventing the entrance thereto of anew ball through its lower end (17).
 3. The drawing mechanism with avariable regulation device for regulating the probabilities of winningaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the turret (10) is anextension of the major circumference of the actual drum (2) forming aninseparable part of the structure thereof and carried out as an elementlike a cylindrical cage, dimensionally suitable for housing at least oneball (3) therein.
 4. The drawing mechanism with a variable regulationdevice for regulating the probabilities of winning according to claim 1,characterized in that the turret (10) has sufficient height so as tohouse two balls (3) therein.
 5. The drawing mechanism with a variableregulation device for regulating the probabilities of winning accordingto claim 1, characterized in that the turret (10) has a structuralconfiguration which allows visually identifying the ball (3) containedtherein.
 6. The drawing mechanism with a variable regulation device forregulating the probabilities of winning according to claim 1,characterized in that the drum (2) is indistinctly carried out as aspherical shell of transparent material or as a type of cage with anidentical configuration, in the inner rotating shaft (6) of which havinga cylindrical configuration the rotation means (12) of the drum arearranged.
 7. The drawing mechanism with a variable regulation device forregulating the probabilities of winning according to claim 1,characterized in that the drum (2), the information panel (25), and allthe rest of the mechanical-electronic elements contained in said panel(25) are duly fixed or placed together or on the assembly of themachines or betting terminals.
 8. The drawing mechanism with a variableregulation device for regulating the probabilities of winning accordingto claim 1, characterized in that the CPU (14) communicates with thedifferent machines or betting terminals (19, 19′, 19″ . . . ) through acommon intercommunication line (22), including an RGB image generatorthe signal (23) of which is equally sent to the betting terminals inorder to supply the necessary data to the display screens of the game(21).
 9. The drawing mechanism with a variable regulation device forregulating the probabilities of winning according to claim 1,characterized in that the CPU (14) incorporates a data output for thesupply to the decorative lighting elements (24) arranged in aninformation panel (25) located next to the drum (2), and on which analphanumeric panel (26) is contained with data considered of interest inthe plays, as well as audio signals (34) for game information in theinformation panel (25), giving betting permission (29) to the terminalsthat wish to take part in the drawing and supplying them before eachplay with information of the number of balls (30) taking part in eachdrawing, as well as validating by means of the control (28) theactivation of the device by means of the existence of credits in themachines.
 10. The drawing mechanism with a variable regulation devicefor regulating the probabilities of winning according to claim 1,characterized in that the CPU (14) is associated to a control circuit(32) for controlling the position of the turret (10) in its orbit oftravel.
 11. The drawing mechanism with a variable regulation device forregulating the probabilities of winning according to claim 1,characterized in that it incorporates a push-button control (33) foraccessing the regulation/validation test for regulating/validating theballs in the game, as well as an auxiliary push-button control (31) forfixing the adjustable variations.
 12. The drawing mechanism with avariable regulation device for regulating the probabilities of winningaccording to claim 2, characterized in that the turret (10) is anextension of the major circumference of the actual drum (2) forming aninseparable part of the structure thereof and carried out as an elementlike a cylindrical cage, dimensionally suitable for housing at least oneball (3) therein.
 13. The drawing mechanism with a variable regulationdevice for regulating the probabilities of winning according to claim 2,characterized in that the turret (10) has sufficient height so as tohouse two balls (3) therein.
 14. The drawing mechanism with a variableregulation device for regulating the probabilities of winning accordingto claim 2, characterized in that the turret (10) has a structuralconfiguration which allows visually identifying the ball (3) containedtherein.